March 11, 2013
CHICAGO - Loyola was well represented as the Horizon League announced its women's basketball awards this afternoon. Sophomore forward Simone Law (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) was named to the All-Horizon League First Team while freshman guard Taylor Johnson (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year in addition to earning spots on the All-Horizon League Second Team, Horizon League All-Newcomer Team and Horizon League All-Defensive Team. Youngstown State took home two pieces of hardware, with forward Brandi Brown collecting Player of the Year honors while Bob Boldon was named Coach of the Year.
Despite missing six Horizon League games with a finger injury, Law averaged 22.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in her 10 League contests to become Loyola's first All-Horizon League First Team selection since Tonya Crum was selected after the 1998-99 season. She scored 20 or more points in seven conference games, highlighted by a 33-point, 12-rebound performance against Milwaukee, and is on pace to become the first Rambler to lead the team in both scoring and rebounding for two consecutive seasons since Sherry Metz (1990-92).
Johnson was recognized after putting together one of the best rookie seasons in program history, averaging 16.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.8 spg in Horizon League play. She shattered Loyola's freshman record for scoring (414 points) and steals (81) and became the first Loyola player since Veronica Pettry (1989) to record 10 steals in a game. Johnson has five double-doubles so far this season, including a 33-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist and five-steal masterpiece against Milwaukee that was one of the best individual performances in the League this season. She is Loyola's first ever Newcomer of the Year and is also the Ramblers' first representative on the All-Defensive Team.
Loyola finished the regular season at 15-14 overall, grabbing third in the Horizon League with a 10-6 conference mark, its most conference victories in a season since winning 12 during the 1988-89 campaign.
The Ramblers open up Horizon League Championship play on Wednesday night, hosting Milwaukee at Gentile Arena. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
All-Horizon League First Team
Brandi Brown, Youngstown State
Shareta Brown, Detroit
Simone Law, Loyola
Adrian Ritchie, Green Bay
Shalonda Winton, Cleveland State
All-Horizon League Second Team
Kim Demmings, Wright State
Sarah Eichler, Green Bay
Tabitha Gerardot, Valparaiso
Katie Hannemann, UIC
Taylor Johnson, Loyola
Horizon League All-Newcomer Team
Shar'Rae Davis, Youngstown State
Ivory James, Wright State
Taylor Johnson, Loyola
Rosanna Reynolds, Detroit
Rachel Story, UIC
Horizon League All-Defensive Team
Sarah Eichler, Green Bay
Taylor Johnson, Loyola
Adrian Ritchie, Green Bay
Yar Shayok, Detroit
Shalonda Winton, Cleveland State
